Adult Swim Greenlights ‘Black Jesus’ Live-Action Comedy Series

Adult Swim is looking to stir a debate with a series order to Black Jesus, a half-hour live-action scripted comedy from The Boondocks creator Aaron McGruder. The show stars newcomer Gerald “Slink” Johnson (Grand Theft Auto V) as Jesus living in present-day Compton, CA on a daily mission to spread love and kindness throughout the neighborhood with the help of his small but loyal group of downtrodden followers. The series pickup for Black Jesus comes on the heels of the Jesus race controversy triggered by Fox News star Megyn Kelley’s recent “Jesus is white” comments.

Black Jesus co-stars Charlie Murphy (Are We There Yet), Corey Holcomb (The Cleveland Show), and John Witherspoon (The Boondocks). Production on the new series has begun in Los Angeles for a premiere later this year. Possibly because of its subject matter, the network had kept the project pretty quiet. Its May 2013 upfront slate included a live-action pilot by McGruder but no premise was announced. McGruder, who created the series, will serve as executive producer through his 5 Mutts Prods. along with writer-director Mike Clattenberg (Trailer Park Boys) and LEG’s Norman Aladjem and John Bravakis. Johnson previously guest starred in an episode of McGruder’s Adult Swim animated comedy Boondocks.

27 Comments

what would black Jesus do? In COMPTON? This is potentially the funniest premise I’ve heard of. Wow. So jealous. Should be very funny and risque, and provocative.

Can’t wait.

Anonymous • on Mar 10, 2014 3:45 pm

LOL.

WRTRPROD7 • on Mar 10, 2014 3:45 pm

Sorry, this is an idiotic way to be “controversial.” Jesus was Jewish, not African. Sorry, that means he wasn’t black. It’s not racist to state fact.

Anonymous • on Mar 10, 2014 3:45 pm

Jews can be African

Shane • on Mar 10, 2014 3:45 pm

Fact: Jesus was born in an area of the world where people resemble those from Africa. So Jesus being Black isn’t much of a stretch.

Also: IT’S A SHOW ON ADULT SWIM. Lighten the hell up.

Ky • on Mar 10, 2014 3:45 pm

Hey also wasnt fucking white

Ahmad • on Mar 10, 2014 3:45 pm

The original Jews were black lol, so ur argument has no real weight in this discussion. and Jesus for a fact was black. He was in what is now called Egypt. Which at the time was ruled by the blackman and black people aren’t restricted to the continent of Africa, Black people are found on every part of the planet so let all this ignorance stop. yall need to study frfr.

S.A.K. • on Mar 10, 2014 3:45 pm

Now YOU know they need to stop!!

Dee • on Mar 10, 2014 3:45 pm

Sounds great! Looking forward to it!!

kevin alber • on Mar 10, 2014 3:45 pm

Mike Clattenberg is a genius – Trailer Park Boys was hilarious — this should be good…

Anonymous • on Mar 10, 2014 3:45 pm

Looks like Comedy Central got beat to the punch.

LA screenwriter • on Mar 10, 2014 3:45 pm

Ok, so here’s the pitch.
It’s a Black Jesus — wait for it — in Compton.
Huh? Get it? What did I tell ya’. It’s gold, baby, gold!

Wow, this sounds so edgy and hip…NOT.

Roger • on Mar 10, 2014 3:45 pm

Comment by LA screenwriter

all we needed to read.

firebrand • on Mar 10, 2014 3:45 pm

This. Will. Be. AWESOME.

Justin • on Mar 10, 2014 3:45 pm

Aaron McGruder? Oh thank god. I was afraid this was another one of Tim and Eric’s god awful surreal comedies.

The Truth • on Mar 10, 2014 3:45 pm

The original Jews were black… sorry to hit you with the truth but go read your bible (not the King James version)

The original Jews were NOT Black. Where’s the evidence? Telling someone not to read the King James Bible is not evidence.

DrivenSavage • on Mar 10, 2014 3:45 pm

Jewish and moor were synonymous up until the 14th century, when white supremacy started budding. Moor literately means black. Do your research before speaking about things you don’t understand.

Facts • on Mar 10, 2014 3:45 pm

I wish they opted for a show to feature all of the sketches from the Super Rumble Mix Show.

Grant • on Mar 10, 2014 3:45 pm

This, like Boondocks and Chappelle, is exactly what we need more of. Thank you.

Ben Decho • on Mar 10, 2014 3:45 pm

All bibles, not just the King James version, tell where Jesus was born; and it’s not Africa.

What the hay • on Mar 10, 2014 3:45 pm

look at the map and find what land mass israel, I hepl you out its not Europe, it in a strip of land in africa

Honey Bee Good • on Mar 10, 2014 3:45 pm

They said, don’t read the King James VERSION. Anyhoo, white people did not exist in that region, so Jesus was definitely NOT white. The lies you tell…sheesh!

Anonymous • on Mar 10, 2014 3:45 pm

You can’t be Jewish, that’s not a race. Hebrew would be the correct term. They are African. Egypt is in Africa. Facts.

hllywdclssc • on Mar 10, 2014 3:45 pm

There’s a difference between Hebrew and Jews, the Hebrews of the bible descending from Abraham the 12 tribes of Israel were all black, given their historical context in Africa. Jews can be of any race but the original Hebrews were all black from Abraham to Moses to Jesus, thats why both Jesus and Moses could hide in the predominantly black or African citiesof Egypt. If they weren’t black, neither could hide amongst the blacks in Egypt and neither would be descendants of Abraham who was a black man from sub Saharan African who migrated into Egypt and what we call now Israel. Hope that helps, Godspeed

Hebrew • on Mar 10, 2014 3:45 pm

The true Jews are black do ur researchJesus is a black read revelation 1 14:15

miss autumn • on Mar 10, 2014 3:45 pm

People we need to stop arguing with the word of God. The bible says that Jesus was black because it describes his skin and hair Revelation1:12~18, and i already know what color Jesus is, he is black JUST LIKE ME i was taught that and i believe that.I have grandmother who is a reverend and an aunt who is a minister. So i know jesus is black, not how they portray Jesus in those movies as a white man with straight hair and blue or green eyes